New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-03
sHIp.BuILDING AND NLTYON-BUILDIN

WHY not i? The Volunteer did not run away
from the Thistle faster than American outstrips
British industry or faster than this country
runs away from Great Britain in population and
in wealth. The old land is hampcrcd with old
customs and theories from which America has
cmancipatcd herself. British land tenure,
British modes of taxation. British tariffs, Brit
ish methods of manufacture and British ideas OF
ship-building belong to the past. With new
start, unrivalled natural resources. unequalled
stimulus for enterprise and skill of every kind.
and less dead weight to hinder America ought
to lead the procession and cross the line far
ahead at the finish. Luck helps, in industry
and i'm government as in yacht racing, but In
the long run Heaven helps those who hcip
themselves, and the freedom upon which our
prosperity rests Is, after ALL the parent OIL
great deal of luck. Yankecland had no crush
ing competition with underpaid labor on the
Continent to hinder, when new inventions III
manufacture made steel about as cheap as lron'
and so this country outstrips the world In steel
making. Yankeeland had no Parliament OIL
land owners TO hinder in 1862, when Home
stead bill offered free land TO millions OF workers
in the Old World and so we have gained in a
quarter of a century 100000 in population
by immigration alone. Iankecland had no
ancient customs or pet notions to hinder the
development of ship-building and so Burgess
bids fair to defend the Cup and to maintain
the superiority which George Steers won.
American boastfuness has one excuse our
people do not ignore the fact that they have
tremendous advantages to start with in their
institutions and their natural resources. When
MIR. Walter of "Thc London Times" visited
this country, and in the midst of fatherly
admonition to Americans about attempting the
iron manufacture in this young country Tor
some generations yet, was confronted with
the marvellous deposit at Iron Mountain, he
began TO realize that the boasts Of Americans
were not entirely foolish. The uncqualled re-
sources of our country, our excellent instltu-
tons and the consequent reinforcement every
year from the most industrious and enterprsing
spirits Of the Old World, do give advantages
which cannot be measured and which Americans
do not forget. Our people do not imagine that
the average American is in himself phenom-
email and matchlcss person. But his opportun-
tiles make the most of him. Surroundings do
not hamper but powerfully stimulate. If he
loves the sea, VIC have water frontage on the
Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and on tho
Great Lakes which no other nation can nval,
and fisheries all the way around from Maine to
the Alcutian Islands, which spur to the utmost
the skill and endurance OF sailors
The carrying trade Of the ocean is matter
of dollars and cents. II it does not pay-and
British ship-owners best know whether shares
in freight vessels are prottable-the Yankee
can find better use for his money and energy.
Nor will any American deny that we are behind
the Old World in a great many things. a
young nation cannot be expected TO attain
everything in single century, even with match
less advantages. But the wise institutions and
wise laws which bring US the pick OF foreign
craftsmen and inventors will continue TO de-
fcnd American industri,s and American de-
velopmcnt until In other things, as in the build
ing of fast yachts, We can rely hopefully upon
the ability Of our countrymen.